The Heart of a Child

By Vickie G. Paver

As everyone gathered around the Christmas tree a week early this past Christmas I was feeling a bit gloomy. With eleven grandchildren around, though, you can't stay in that mood for long. The room was filled with excitement as each child anticipated the giving and receiving of gifts. One grandson in particular could not wait to give his grandma P. (me) and his Papa Hal the gifts he had for us. I was admiring the little snowman pin, telling him how much I loved it, when I looked up to see that he was grinning from ear to ear, jumping up and down and clapping his hands. He had put his heart into that gift. I still feel the joy of receiving the gift of knowing just how precious he is and that he truly loves his grandma and Papa.

It was now my turn to give a special gift to each grandchild. I had put my whole heart into each fleece jacket that I worked on a few weeks before Christmas. I thought about how special each grandchild is and what each one means to their Papa Hal and me. Although I didn't jump up and down and clap my hands, I still felt the deep joy of giving a gift of love and I was grinning from ear to ear.

After our "early" Christmas was over, our children began to call us and tell us stories about each grandchild and their fleece jackets. One grandchild had to go to school the following Monday and refused to wear her regular winter jacket. She insisted the fleece jacket was what she was going to wear. While she was waiting for the bus she kept looking back at her mom, who was standing in the doorway, and said, "Really mom, it is so warm and soft too." After she got on the bus and arrived at school, she showed all of her classmates the jacket and matching hat that her grandma P. made for her. She was thrilled. Another grandchild got upset because he could not wear his jacket to the barn. He thought he should be able to wear it everywhere, but his mom wanted it saved for good. Still another grandchild bragged to every one that her grandma made her jacket and hat. Some did not believe her, but she persisted and won out. When I heard these stories one by one, my heart swelled with joy and love. Once again I realized how special each grandchild is to me. I was reminded what a thrill it is to give. They cherished the gifts I made with love and received them with joy.

To be able to give and to receive with the heart of a child is a tremendous gift and one to be cherished. I pray as we go into a New Year that God will enable me to receive all that He has for me with joy and thankfulness. I also pray that as each day comes my way I will give much joy, love and hope to others in the same way God gives to me. Let us celebrate the gift of life and the giver of life , Jesus Christ our Lord. Let's give and receive with the heart of a child, God's child.

Life is too short to be living as a prune.

Take time to give and watch you bloom.

Psalms 68:19 "Blessed be the Lord who daily loads us with benefits, The God of our salvation."